ONTARIO, Calif. (BP) – Unable to conduct an in-person commencement exercise because of the coronavirus pandemic, Gateway Theological Seminary instead celebrated its Spring graduation ceremonies online May 22. In an address to graduates, Gateway President Jeff Iorg identified three ministry challenges created or revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic: increased isolation, unabashed selfishness and improper ministry priorities. He said although the severity of these difficulties may change as the pandemic ends, the lessons learned by overcoming them will be relevant through a lifetime of ministry service.

Willie Thomas McPherson, who pastored.... in the 1970s in California and... was the first black divisional leader within the California Southern Baptist Convention, died May 12 in Wichita at the age of 80.

Pressure turns fissures and flaws into chasms and canyons. Right now, some churches are discovering their past strategy of depending on donors instead of building stewards is producing devastating results.

The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has called on Congress to support nonprofit organizations and particular categories of vulnerable Americans in the next coronavirus (COVID-19) relief package.

GuideStone Financial Resources has created a resource to answer questions that churches and other non-profit organizations -- and their employees -- may have about how the recently passed CARES Act affects those employed in a ministry setting.

[During COVID-19] as U.S. churches shift their ministries to online gatherings to comply with state directives and governments around the world adjust social distancing measures, IMB missionaries and their national partners also pursue creative ways to share with millions around the world the hope found in Jesus Christ alone.